Frequently Asked Questions

Come play at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center

Frequently Asked Questions

When are you open and what does admission cost?
See our hours and admission page for complete information.

Can I leave and then come back the same day?Yes! Admission is good all day and you are welcome to come and go as many times as you would like. Please ask for a hand stamp when you leave for readmission, or plan to show a receipt.

What age of child would enjoy a visit to The Discovery Center?
The museum is designed to be entertaining and educational for all ages, but we find children between birth and 10 particularly enjoy their visits to The Discovery Center, with older children especially enjoying the outdoor exhibits.

How long should we plan to visit?
We recommend planning at least a two-hour visit. Kids will want to stay all day!

Do special programs or activities cost extra?
All exhibits, programs and activities are included with the cost of admission. We do host a few annual fundraisers at additional cost, which are advertised in advance.

May I visit without children?
For the safety of our visitors, we require all adults to be accompanied by a child 16 or younger, and all children to be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 16. We welcome individual adults or groups who would like to see our museum for scheduled tours. Contact us to schedule a tour.

Why do adults need to pay admission?All exhibits at the Discovery Center are designed for adults and children to play and learn together.

Is there food sold at the museum?
Vending machines are located in the KCDC café area.

Can we bring in our own food or drinks?
Visitors are welcome to bring in food and drinks to be enjoyed in the café or outdoors on picnic tables. Food is not allowed in the exhibit area.

Are there places for babies and toddlers to play?
We offer a special infant area just for pre-walkers, allowing them to explore age-appropriate toys and watch the big kids play in a safe, clean environment. Even babies who are not crawling enjoy this space. Toddlers also have a special exhibit just for them!

Are there facilities for breastfeeding, pumping or bottle-feeding infants?
Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere in our facility. The infant area offers comfortable seating and positioning pillows for nursing mothers. Private space for pumping and a microwave for bottle preparation are available upon request. During your visit, please let our staff know if there is anything we can do to make feeding your baby easier.

How do you clean the facility?

The cleaning procedures in place at the Discovery Center follow strict internal guidelines as well as the safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control.

The museum is professionally cleaned regularly.

All toys and exhibits are disinfected in our dishwasher or with a hospital grade disinfectant spray daily.

The restrooms are professionally cleaned throughout the week and maintained by staff throughout the day.

While sanitizer is available throughout the museum, we still encourage staff and patrons to wash their hands with soap and water whenever possible.

Staff are encouraged to stay home if they feel ill and they are not penalized for doing so.

We also encourage visitors to keep children home if they or their children are feeling unwell, and have posted our sick person policy at the museum and online as a reminder.

May a sick child or adult visit the museum?A general rule to follow is that if you or your child have a fever or are too sick to go to work or school, then you are too sick to visit the museum. For more specific guidelines, please see our sick person policy.

Are strollers allowed?
Strollers are welcome and there is typically ample room for them. However, we recommend they be left in the car during busy times.

Is the museum accessible to people using wheelchairs?
Yes. Our museum is all on one level. Accessible parking is available. A wheelchair is available upon request. Please let our staff know if there is anything we can do to make your visit better.

Where do I park?
The Discovery Center has ample, free parking directly in front of the museum, including accessible parking.

Is there a lost and found?
Lost and found is located at the front desk. The Discovery Center cannot be responsible for items left behind at the museum.

What forms of payment are accepted for admission and at the Discovery Shop?
We accept cash, credit and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted.

May I rent space at the Discovery Center for my party or event?Yes! Your family or adult event is perfectly placed at The Discovery Center to inspire creativity, innovation and fun. See our rental page for full information.

How is The Discovery Center funded?Admissions and memberships support the bulk of museum operations. Donations from individuals and businesses allow The Discovery Center to offer new exhibits and special programs. The museum is a nonprofit organization, is not publicly funded and relies on the generous support of our community to inspire a lifelong love of learning for every child.